Today is the 9th Anniversary of Rachna says. The blog that transformed my life in a way and made me indulge in my passion of words. I also launched two more blogs: cooking and fitness blog, Rachna cooks and travel blog, Rachna’s Travel Tales subsequently. Last year, I had hosted a giveaway and gave some lovely books from my collection to my blog readers. This year, I will go with sharing some lighthearted moments about my blogging from friends and acquaintances:
How Can I Become Like You?
Well, they obviously don’t want to be my clone. I guess they mean how do they become an established blogger. I can’t tell you how many people have asked me this question. And I really oscillate between amusement and confusion. Well, starting a new blog takes about 2 minutes after googling for 2 minutes. But, writing consistently, building an audience and credibility and developing your unique voice may take ages. It always boils down to hard work, perseverance and most importantly passion.
What is Blogging?
This is a genuine question. Most people have no clue what blogging is. Why are people writing online journals and why exactly is someone reading it? Very valid question. But, with the advent of social media, there is an audience which reads what you write if you connect with them. Life, relationships, food, reviews, fitness, health… You name it. Think about it. Wouldn’t you want to read someone’s personal experience or reach out to someone who is experiencing what you are. After all, we are all social animals.
What Exactly is Your Work?
My children often encounter questions about their mother’s profession. What does she do? “She works in content.”
Errr what is that?
“She is an Editor.”
“Magazine? Newspaper?”
“No, a portal!”
“They have Editors for that?”
“She is also a writer.”
“Which books has she written?”
“No, she writes online content. For websites and people.”
“Oh, so she works in IT!”
(Bangs head)
You get the gist. Most people struggle to understand what exactly is content.
Is Blogging a Hobby?
Well, it surely started as one, but it lead me to my profession in content. My blog is monetized so I do make money from it. Yet, most people think that I have free time and to keep myself preoccupied I lay bare my own thoughts and those of my family online. Haww What a terrible person I am!
Is Blogging Easy?
It certainly is not. Most bloggers spend hours crafting posts, proofreading, editing, finding the right images, linking to valuable resources and giving you a balanced post. If it is a food post, even more work in not only preparing but photographing the dish, editing it and then using it. If you create videos, the time taken increases. When people mock bloggers, they have clearly no idea about the kind of work involved. It is not trivial. It is a lot of hard work, and most of us are very invested in what we do.
Can I Also Write?
As someone who regularly works with writers and agencies, I can tell you that even people working in the field of content are not necessarily writers. A lot of people are certainly writing these days, but many of them don’t satisfy the basic criteria of good language, punctuation, ideas and connect with audience. Sadly, this lack of quality has made every person believe that they can be good at writing. If you are really interested, do spend some time in honing your craft. Brush up your language skills and then try writing.
Do share what questions you hear regularly as bloggers.
I would like to hear from you what Rachna says means to you. Why do you read me?
Pic courtesy: Shutterstock
Congratulations on the anniversary. Wishing you many more years of writing and blogging happiness. ?
Thanks so much, Shy. Your wishes mean a lot to me.
Congrats Rachna! You have laid down some very good points for longevity. And I would like to become like you when I retire from my job. Just yesterday my husband asked me ‘What do you achieve with time spent on blogging?’ . Well, nothing …but some good friends and a happy time.
Thanks, Lata. Good friends and a happy time is quite a lot, but many people just don’t get it.
Congratulations and best wishes
Thanks, Shrinidhi.
Happy Birthday to your blog baby, Rachna. Those are some interesting questions. You have answere them all eloquently. People usually think of blogging as killing time online with no purpose whatsoever!
Thanks Vinitha. Unfortunately, that is what people feel about blogging and it is so far from truth.
Congratulations..9 years wowow..
And people usually ask me when will I stop writing ???
Happy anniversary and here’s wishing many many mannnnnnnnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more your way…
hehe Bik. That cracked me up. Always a delight to read you and hear from you.
Thanks for the lovely wishes. 🙂
Congratulations on the milestone, Rachna!
So well deserved. And here’s to many more
Thanks so much, Sid!
Congratulations on your blog anniversary. Useful tips for beginners and bloggers alike. People are truly confused about content writers, web editors and web contributors.
Thanks, Alka. Yes, most people are. It is a very dynamic field.
Congratulations, Rachna! Many many successful returns of the day. 🙂
Useful points for new blogger and content writers.
Thanks, Tarang. Glad you liked the post.
Congratulations on the anniversary, Rachna. Wish you many more 🙂
Thanks, Naba. 🙂
Congrats Rachna. I also celebrated my blogs one year last month and for you it’s 9 years..so it’s a great achievement. I agree with all the points you mentioned above. According to me.. not only the content but the writer also makes a difference. I feel if a writer gives a positive vibes, it’s easier for readers to connect too.
A warm person like you surely makes it easier for others to connect with you. Wishing you many more years of writing, blogging and much more.
Thanks, Deepa, for your wishes and warm words. Totally agree. It is the person behind the words who shines. I can tell you for a fact that there are a few people who write well, but I don’t read them because I don’t respect them or like them as people.
Happy anniversary, Rachna! Wishing you many more years of writing.
I read your blog because I enjoy your writing. Hugs!
Thanks so much, Vidya. You are one of the few I look upto in the world of blogging. Thank you for being my friend and constant support.
Congratulations Rachna for this milestone and dedication that makes you stand out. You have explained so well the queries that people have and sometimes the questions are framed in a wrong manner. I believe it’s your content that takes you ahead, something I’ve told friends who want to start a blog for quick money. I think it’s a flawed outlook on blogging regarding the money thing. Writing is about personal growth and telling a good story. Cheerz
Thank you so much for your motivating words, Vishal. I agree with you when you say that people starting a blog for money is just wrong on so many levels. Writing is so much more. And if your passion is not writing then who will read your blog anyway.
9 years yaayyy congratulations… I can understand how difficult it is to describe what you do. The understanding of content creation is still a very alien subject, specially to those who aren’t very active in social media platforms. You are doing an amazing job. Your posts are always well structured, beautifully written and so relatable. It gives an insight on how organized your mind is in real life. Hope you reach many more milestones.
Thanks Raj, for all the warm and supportive words.
Congratulations Rachna. That ‘What do you do?’ question is the toughest to answer. I envy you your organisational skills and that you make time for so many things – three blogs and also your Youtube channel. You had a Hindi blog too, right?
Thanks, Tulika. Oh yes, you remember that blog. I mean to write posts in Hindi and even craft some in my head but they never get published. 🙁 Maybe, I should write once in a while. The difficulty of typing in Hindi is another reason for the laziness.
Congratulations on your 9th blogoversary, Rachna! That’s a big milestone. And here’s to many many more years of interesting and insightful posts from you. Cheers!!
Thanks, Shilpa. It has been an interesting journey. 🙂
Congratulations Rachna for the blog anniversary. 9 years is a long time to be consistently blogging.
Why do I read your blog? Because somewhere I identify and connect with the words you write as a person and as a parent.
I want to tell you I am that blogger who cannot explain why I bare my personal life online and what do I get out of it when it is not money.
Thanks so much, Anamika. I am glad to have met you on this blogging journey. The connect and the joy of sharing, the community is difficult to explain to others.
Congratulations on the 9th anniversary 🙂 I am completing 1 year on September 01st this year, and you have rightly mentioned the hard work and perseverance it takes to sustain the blog we start 🙂 In the end, it all comes down to Passion, till the time that’s alive…nothing can stop one from becoming a successful blogger 🙂 Also, one should keep an open mind towards learning new aspects 🙂 I learn something new every day and I hope that never stops…
Thank you, Veidehi. Nice to meet you and congratulations on inching closer to your 1st anniversary. That is always so special. 🙂 You are so right. One can never learn enough. We learn every single day.
9 years? Wow, that’s as much as my corporate life now 🙂
You are a really good blogger. Consistent, dedicated and so genuine. That’s what makes a great blogger. You deserve all the accolades that come your way. Congrats on the blog anniversary, Rachna. Wishing you many many years more.
One wise old man (Sid) once said, “Everybody can write, but everybody mustn’t”. Cannot be more true considering the recent crop of writers who only write for contests or freebies.
Thank you, Soumya. I heart your words. They are a big shot in the arm for me.
Wohaa! 9 years of incredible writing! Heartiest Congratulations and best wishes! Whenever and wherever I have read you buddy in my own clumsiness, I have always found your words immaculately measured and impactful.
Thanks, Roma, for you warm words. Glad to have met you on this blogging journey.
Congratulations, once again, Rachna, and wish you many more years of blogging!
I so loved reading your post, as I always do. It feels like you are sitting by my side and talking your heart out about life and so many other things.
I agree, writing/blogging is not as easy as it seems. It’s only when people try to actually write five lines about something that one can gauge their supposed skill! Ah, but they are really not going to make an effort at understanding our life, are they? They are going to keep wondering what blogging is all about? 😀
Let us rejoice in our chosen paths and make the best of it all, shall we?
Love and hugs, my dear!
Thank you so much, dear Shilpa. I love reading your posts too. You are such a warm and loving person. I truly feel blessed that I met you on this blogging journey and someday we will meet in real life as well.
Congratulations Rachna ji !! A lot of people are certainly writing these days, but many of them don’t satisfy the basic criteria of good language, punctuation, ideas and connect with audience. Sadly, this lack of quality has made every person believe that they can be good at writing. If you are really interested, do spend some time in honing your craft. Brush up your language skills and then try writing. Well & Truly said .
Thank you, Yogiji.
Congratulation on your 9 years of blogging.I like reading this blog because of the honesty and no nonsense approach.Your personality makes the content shine.For me, that makes a difference.
Thanks so much, Amrita.
Congrats Rachna.I read you because I am always on the same page as you,your thoughts resonate.
But a question-isn’t content writing more difficult than mere blogging?Because you have to give the required slant and yet make it honest and interesting.
Thanks Indu! Yes, content writing is very different from blogging. There are different parameters in which the article is written and of course, SEO optimization is important too.
I can sum up what I think of Rachna speaks – Class!
Bloggers come, bloggers go. Some, like you, stay. <3
I would like to add one reply that we hear often – I also write. The moment you say you blog or write, every single person on this planet proclaims to be a writer. 🙂
Anyway!
Congratulations on the anniversary and here's to many more!
Thanks so much, Saru! Your words mean a lot to me.
Oh yes, everyone writes. So true. 🙂
Congratulations Rachna for reaching this milestone! Quite agree with your observations about blogging
Thanks Rahul.
Nine years !!!!!!…is not an easy task.
My heartiest congratulations. It was really very nice to read about blogging and your experience.
Thanks, Jyotirmoy.
What with your phenomenal success with blogging and writing endeavors, it is no wonder that ‘there are questions galore from wannabe bloggers and writers. Enjoy being the blogging guru, Rachna 🙂 Way to go!
Thanks so much, Zephyr. It’s friends like you that I’ve gained through blogging that make me feel so much gratitude to blogging.
This was a fun read, peppered with wisdom, Rachna!:)
I loved reading the questions, and of course the answers. You’ve outlined all the hard work genuine bloggers put into their blog posts.
I love reading your blog as you choose great topics (like this one) your content is rich, with you sharing your learning with us, and your writing is honest and not made up to impress the reader.
Congratulations on 9 years and wishing you many more and all good things to follow! 🙂
Thank you so much, Mayuri. So happy to have met you on this blogging journey. 🙂
Why do I read Rachna says? Because when Rachna says something – she says it as it is, in a sincere and genuine manner.
I can relate to most of these questions especially the one on what exactly is your work. Blogging is such an exotic wonder land for people who are truly doing it, that its nature is not always easy to explain.
Many congratulations and here’s to many more successful happy years ahead of you! 🙂
Thanks so much, Arti. This journey has been so joyous because of excellent bloggers like you who have given so much love and affection.
The annoying thing that you and many other bloggers face is people who think that blogging must be so easy and that anyone can start a blog and start minting money immediately! Yes, and the overt expressions of concern about your family’s privacy is also a common theme!
Congratulations, Rachna.
Same pinch on the 9. 🙂
Here’s wishing you many, many more years of successful blogging. 🙂